12 Days of Christmas | Budget Friendly Ideas

As we all know the Holidays can be an expensive time of the year. . .between holiday parties, decorations and gifts, it feels like our money is water flowing downstream.

So over the years, I've learned a few tricks to save money where I can. Today, I am sharing those money saving tips with you!

Party Attire

Never underestimate the power and versatility of your LBD (little black dress).  For a girls lunch, pair it with tights, boots and a brightly colored scarf or cardi.  For a night out, add sheer stockings, black slingbacks and your best jewelry.  Office get-together? Try opaque hose and a structured jacket.  Your options are limitless, and no one will realize it's the same basic underneath.

Decorations

I love a live wreath on my big picture window.  But decorated wreaths can set you back $30 or even more.  Trader Joe's has plain evergreen wreaths for $6.99 . . . with a few pinecones, dollar-store flowers and a festive bow added. . .I can keep it under $12.

Also, use what you have - green and red vases? A cluster of them can make a holiday-inspired vignette.  Tie a red or gold bow on a topiary to make them Christmas-y.

Gifts

Try to shop sales whenever possible.  One year I scored monogrammed Lands End tote bags for $20 - they made great teacher's gifts and looked festive stuffed with bright tissue paper and tied with a tulle ribbon.  Or consider a $1 store mug filled with good chocolate.  Add a festive tag created by your child to finish it off.

What are some of your favorite ways to save during the holidays? 

catch you soon -
This post originally appeared as part of a 12 Days of Christmas Round-Up with A Life in Balance